Colorado

By: Elizabeth Cardona

• Fossil Name:

Stegosaurus stenops

• Description of Organism:

This dinosaur was a plant eater, It had a very small head with a small brain. This dinosaur contained larger, flat and bony triangular plates on its back. It also had a heavy, spiky tail for protection. The dinosaur walked on four legs but the two back legs were longer than the two front legs.

• Picture:

Stegosaurus mother and child photo

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Colorado/Fossil_Stegasaurus.html

Stegosaurus tail photo

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Colorado/Fossil_Stegasaurus.html

• Time Existed:

During the Mesozoic era in the Jurassic Period, 150 million years ago.

• Preservation:

The preservation of this fossil was not stated but it can be found in the Morrison Fossil Area National Natural Landmark.

• Founder:

Arthur Lakes

• Reason for State Fossil:

The reason of why this fossil was chosen as the state fossil is not stated but it was made the state fossil on April 28, 1892 by executive of Governor Richard D.
Laam

• Resources:

1. Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration. (n.d.). State Fossil. In Colorado State Archives Symbols & Emblems. Retrieved from http://www.colorado.gov/dpa/doit/archives/history/symbemb.htm
2. State Symbol USA. (n.d.). Colorado State Fossil. In State Symbol USA. Retrieved from http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/Colorado/Fossil_Stegasaurus.html